Razorfish

Software: scuptris
triangles: 1 262 674


Notes

Just another creature to add to my library of alien creatures residing on a far away moon (I have yet to name) inside my head.
The sculpting was as smooth an experience as anyone can get with sculptris. Meaning no hair pulling, no cursing, no crashes.


Description
At first glance the Razor fish looks more like a reptilian creature than it does a true fish. Thick
bony plates cover the top of the head and neck which makes it difficult for larger sea predators
to attack it in those areas. The entire length of its body, which can reach eight feet long is
covered in thick ridged scales which makes it one of the toughest fish around. Found virtually in
every aquatic environment, from small cool lakes, warm tropical seas and in the deepest oceans it
is known to thrive under the most extreme conditions. However remarkable its ability to adapt it
can only 'breathe' through a pair of singular gills located next to the pectoral fins at the base
of the neck and will not survive long out of the water.  Like sharks on Earth it must be in
constant forward motion even when asleep in order to process oxygen through its gills.

A single row of needle point teeth line the upper and lower parts of the mouth and a hinged lower
jaw makes it impossible for whatever it catches in its mouth to escape. Apart from having one of
the most vicious bites in aquatic species on this moon it can defend itself with the bony spur  
protruding from its 'pseudo nose' with great effect. Although it is not attached to a venom gland
as first believed it can still cause extreme pain and the wound can remain sore for months.

It has excellent vision and sense of smell allowing it to detect prey or danger from miles away.
When it can not rely on these senses especially in the crushing darkness of the deep deep ocean it
uses the two pairs of Darwin Pits at the front of its face to maneuver around. No one is entirely
sure how these organs work but it is quite apparent that it has mastered their use as this fish has
one of the oldest lifespans known for a member of the fish family. It is primarily a solitary
hunter but few instances have been observed where more than one adult have worked together in
killing prey much larger than they are. Each animal take turns to move in swiftly and bite chunks
of meat from the larger animal. The animal eventually dies from its wounds and they can safely
feast on the dead body.

This fish is also the fastest swimming animal ever recorded by humans to date. It can rival speeds
to those of motorized vehicles both underwater and on the surface; primarily, no doubt due to its
fantastic fin development. Each fin is stabilized by a series of bones which makes the fins
incredibly resistant to damage.  It has one pair of pectoral fins, a pair of pelvic fins which is
lined up with its anal fin, a pair of  fat fins and a very unique four-point caudal fin (tail). The
most interesting of its parts is the dorsal fin. The dorsal fin can be controlled by an intricate
bundle of muscles at the base of its very thick bone structure giving the fish complete control
over the angle the fin is kept for specific purposes. For example as a stabilizer while swimming at
low speeds the fin is kept at a 30 degree angle. At its highest speeds the dorsal fin is lowered
flat along the back and it is believed the tail takes over as the stabilizer. The most fascinating
use of the dorsal fin and reason we call it the Razor fish  is when hunting prey equivalent in size
or slightly larger;  this fish will slice through the water at a very high speed and when it is close
enough it will raise the dorsal fin to knock its prey unconscious or at the very least stun it long
enough so as to come back around and tear it apart before the victim can defend itself or escape. It is the
only water dwelling animal on this moon so far to exhibit this behavior.